There are growing jitters about Kenya Kwanza after it emerged that the Sh1.3 billion that was meant for Mt Kenya water projects has been reallocated.
Political leaders from the region are upset after learning that the National Treasury diverted the billions to other regions reportedly for political reasons.
It has also emerged that Water, Irrigation and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has protested against the move terming the decision as "ill-informed."
Documents show that the government, through the Ministry of Treasury and Economic Planning, approved the reallocation on March 23.
This was after Water and Sanitation PS Kipronoh Ronoh wrote to his national Treasury counterpart Chris Kiptoo asking for the diversion of the funds.
"In this regard, the National Treasury has approved re-allocation from the following projects; Athi Water Works Development Agency (Sh300 million), Nairobi Metro Area bulk water services (Sh479 million), and Ithanga water supply,” the letter reads in part.
Out of the Sh1.3 billion that was meant for Mt Kenya water projects, Sh800 million had been approved.
Some Sh479 million was meant for the Ruiru Dam II's construction in Lari and Githunguri constituencies.
Sh300 million was allocated for the final phase of water supply from Karemenu Dam, and Sh100 million for the Ithanga water project.
The Belgium government had pledged to fund some projects in the Mt Kenya region at a cost of Sh2.5 billion.
The reallocation of the Sh1.3 billion forced Wahome to write to her Treasury counterpart Njuguna Ndungú on April 25 protesting against the move.
The CS argued that the reallocation was ill-informed as she was not consulted.
"The request for the reallocation was not made in consultation with the relevant implementing waterworks development agencies and my concurrence was also not sought,” said Wahome.
The letter was also copied to her own PS Ronoh.
Funds initially allocated for other projects, including Sh350 million for the Dandora sewage treatment expansion and Sh150 million for the Northern Water Works Development Agency, have been diverted.
In the budget, the National Water Harvesting and Ground Water Exploitation was to receive Sh463 million.
The Water Sector Reforms Programme was also set to get Sh916 million.
